tracke30m3

My 95 C2 is leaking power steering fluid, I guess its coming from somewhere in the steering rack since I see puddles on the floor under the front of the car.

Am having the car checked this week, but have been told that its most likely a bad rack. Also heard repair kits are not available and the whole thing would have to be replaced at a cost of about $2000.

Is there a repair kit available for the steering rack of the 993? What are my options other than coughing up $2000 for a new one? A rebuilt rack? Used one?

Thanks.

chris walrod

On ebay from time to time, there is a rack rebuild kit (not to be confused with Pamela Anderson's bube job). I think they ask ~$70 for it, including the bushings. However, I have never heard of anyone rebuilding their racks, as I have been tempted to do, once needed.

$2K sounds like too much money, and I dont care what Pamela Anderson paid for hers Check the archives as some have replaced theirs with remanufactured units with no trouble. I think for around $450-600.

Have a good look at yours and verify its not a hydraulic line or hose. Typically leaky racks dont leak THAT much..

Air Kuul TT

Originally Posted by Chris Warlrod

Chris... that a good one! LOL!

I think tracke30m30 is oversea... might be harder to get parts there...dunno

kkim

You could try these guys. I have their strut bar. Can't say how good the seal kit is, though.

http://www.klaindustries.net/993rack/993rack.htm

Good luck!

ammo_collector

FYI, I replaced mine for $919 parts and labor from a top-notch independent shop.

Mike J

I had mine rebuilt by a local shop that specializes in racks. I took it out and installed it myself so I don't know about the labour cost. The rebuild was about $600CAN (if I remember right...it was a few years ago) Since then its been over 15,000 miles and no leaks at all...

Cheers,

Mike

Toga

Yes Chris, mine was replaced 2 years ago for 500€. It was effectively not leaking that much, but the rubber protections were flooded by oil.

PBenz

I replaced my rack and pinion AND tie rods myself for $866 (rack alone was $589). Got the rack from Griffiths , and I'm a very satisfied customer.

graham_mitchell

I bought a reseal kit for my car but put it away for winter before having a chance to deal with it. If the reseal kit is successful I will post more info.

Toga, where did you get your rack? Was it rebuilt or salvaged?

Toga

Hi Graham,

the Porsche specialist where I bought the car did the job, and the part was what we call it a "standard exchange" from Porsche. So I assume it's rebuilt to new.
No more problem since then.
I didn't know too much about Rennlist at that time, but now, I would do the job by myself.

Fred, Long Island

Replaced my 964 rack last year with a rebuilt. I was advised that resealing the unit may not last if the unit has suffered any scoring. So I suppose a removal and full inspection is required before deciding which tack to take.
Not an impossible job, just requires some attention and nimble fingers to reinstall the hydraulic lines.

mlincoln

About two or three years ago, I had my steering rack replaced five times over a period of three months by the local dealer. The price at the time was ca. $1100 for the Porsche-rebuilt rack, $600 for the remove & install labor, and $250 for the kinematic wheel alignment. As I understand things from both the dealer and the factory manual, the wheel alignment is a required element. A periodic wheel alignment is a good idea on general principles so its not a wasted effort.

Luckily I only paid for the first rack. It turned out that the original rack had disintegrated internally and sent small bits of rubber into the system. These bits had blocked an internal filter in the power steering pump, which is back at the engine. This filter is not accessible without cutting the PS pump in half. Every time the new rack was put in place by the dealer, the circulation of fluid would force the bits back against the filter and block fluid flow, disabling the power steering over a period of a day or so and a dozen miles. The dealer claimed that the steering was naturally stiff (after all, they'd just fixed everything!): "race-tuned steering feel" and all that. But I insisted something was wrong. After the 4th repair, PCNA flew in a factory mechanic from some central point. He diagnosed the problem. Once I had a new PS pump, all new hoses, plus a (final) new rack, and system flush, all was well.

I only recount this story in case anyone has a problem with apparent sequential "failures" of a new PS rack. It might also be a good idea to "back flush" your PS pump (disconnect input hose and force fluid through output) if that's possible.

Mike